For the 1945 film with
Arthur Treacher, see Swing Out, Sister.
Swing Out Sister is a British sophisti-pop
musical group best known worldwide for their 1987
song "Breakout", which
was their only song to reach the US top 10. Various listeners have
classified their sound as everything from smooth
jazz to cool
jazz to acid
jazz.
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Contents
- 1 History
- 1.1 "it's
better to travel" (Debut album)
- 1.2 Kaleidoscope
World
- 1.3 Get
In Touch With Yourself
- 1.4 The
Living Return
- 1.5 Shapes
and Patterns
- 1.6 Filth
and Dreams
- 1.7 Somewhere
Deep in the Night
- 1.8 Where
Our Love Grows
- 1.9 Secret
Love
- 2 Sound
- 3 Fans
- 4 Concert
Tour
- 5 Miscellaneous
- 6 Albums
- 7 Singles
- 8 External
links
- 9 References
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History
Although Swing Out Sister is currently a duo, they began as a
trio in the UK. The group was formed by Andy
Connell (keyboards) and Martin
Jackson (drums),
and were later joined by Corinne Drewery (vocals). The name
came from a 1945 movie
starring Arthur Treacher, called Swing
Out, Sister, and they claim they chose the name
because it was something that all of them "hated." Both Connell and
Jackson had been playing in other bands prior to forming SOS, while
Drewery was actually a fashion designer before she became
the band's lead vocalist.
"it's better to travel"
(Debut album)
Together with their producer, Paul
Staveley O'Duffy, they signed with Mercury
Records. Prior to their first album, they released the single "Blue
Mood" in the UK in November 1985. However, it did not chart.
In late 1986, the single "Breakout" was released. It reached
the number three position on the UK charts, and number six in the
United States.
Consequently, when they released their debut
album, "it's
better to travel", on May 11, 1987, it reached
number one on the UK album
charts.
The album registered with listeners for its mix of jazz and
electropop, with a blend of real horns, synths (arranged subtly, to
sound like strings), drums, and xylophones, scored by producer/arranger
Richard Niles. The
follow-up single to the effervescent "Breakout" was the
brooding "Surrender", which
featured a trumpet solo performed by John
Thirkell. It rose to number seven on the UK charts in January 1987. The
next single was the more serious and jazzy "Twilight
World". This song was the subject of many remixes and was a dance club
favourite worldwide. The final single "Fooled
By a Smile" returned to the upbeat pop orientation characteristic of
"Breakout".
The group was subsequently nominated for two American Grammy
Awards in 1988: Best New Artist and Best Pop
Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo ("Breakout").
In addition to long-time partner O'Duffy as well as Thirkell,
Swing Out Sister also have enlisted the talents of saxophonist Gary
Barnacle (who with Thirkell also comprise the Henpecked Horns known for
their work with Level 42); percussionist Luis
Jardim; guitarist Tim Cantsfield; and
trumpet/fluegelhorn master Jerry Hey.
Kaleidoscope World
Original member Jackson, whose acoustic drums drove the
"Surrender" single, left the group during the making of the second
album, Kaleidoscope
World. Although the liner notes give "special
thanks to Martin Jackson" and his co-writing credits appear on the
songs "Tainted" and "Between Strangers", they also point out that
"Swing Out Sister are Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell." Drewery and
Connell have been the core group on all subsequent albums. After
leaving Swing Out Sister, Jackson later worked for Frank
Zappa.
"Kaleidoscope World" was released in May 1989
and achieved critical acclaim. Their turn away from contemporary styles
towards retro musical sources on this album would establish the musical
path that they would continue to follow with their subsequent albums.
The duo found inspiration in Easy Listening music, such as Burt
Bacharach, as well as songwriter Jimmy Webb, who led some orchestrations
for the album. The incorporation of an orchestra to their recordings
realized their sound in a richer, fuller way than their previous effort
which relied more heavily on synthesizers. Consequently, this album
featured arrangements and songwriting more classical in inclination.
The lead-off single "You On My Mind" featured a more sophisticated
blend of musical components than their previous efforts while the
upbeat tone of "Breakout" was echoed in the lead USA single "Waiting
Game". Further singles included Where in the World and Forever
Blue which featured a sample from the John Barry score Midnight
Cowboy.
Get In Touch With
Yourself
In May 1992, their retro orientation
became even more evident in both their sound and image on their third
album, "Get In Touch With Yourself". With strong dance rhythms
reverberating throughout the entire album, tracks draw influences from
'60s and '70s jazz, pop, soul, and funk, including a breezy cover of
the Dusty Springfield
classic "Am I The Same Girl?". The
album's title track, a blend of 1970s soul music and modern pop, gained the duo
heavy airplay on smooth-jazz radio and was a crossover hit, gaining
airtime on adult contemporary stations. The musical influences of Stevie
Wonder, The Jackson Five, and others would
become evident on this album but continue on through their later
releases. In line with the album theme, Drewery also grew out her hair
from her trademark bob which had become a visual signature for
their early years.
The Living Return
Numerous changes were afoot by the time the fourth album, "The
Living Return" was released in September 1994.
The replacement of producer Paul O'Duffy after initial studio sessions
with Ray Hayden contributed
to a looser, raw feel to the songs that were often the results of
studio jam sessions. Though Drewery and Connell still led Swing Out
Sister, additional musicians (including former 52nd Street bassist
Derick Johnson; Pa'lante
percussionist Chris Manis; drummer Myke Wilson, formerly of the Jazz Defectors; and trumpet player John
Thirkell increased their group to ten members that replicate the live
performances that had been captured on the Japan-only release Live
at the Jazz Cafe. The album featured the single and cover
song "La La (Means I Love You)",
which was also included on the Four Weddings and a
Funeral soundtrack.
Shapes and Patterns
Few of the band's releases charted highly on the pop listings
in Western countries after the successful debut album (though they
became radio-airplay staples on jazz stations). The band, however,
became extremely popular in Japan. Their song "Now You're Not Here" (from
their fifth album "Shapes And Patterns", one of several released only
in Japan) was used as the theme to a Japanese TV program, and received
a Japanese 'Grand Prix' (the equivalent of a Grammy) for best
international single in 1997.
"Shapes and Patterns" was first released in Japan in March
1997, and then in Europe and USA the year after. Producer Paul O'Duffy,
who co-wrote half of the songs, was back at the helm. As an orchestra
was once again employed (led by Gavyn Wright), the lush arrangements
characteristic of Kaleidoscope World resurfaced.
The liner notes point out the influences of Bacharach, Webb, and John
Barry are perceptible in the string arrangements and Latin rhythms, as
well as Minnie Riperton, Rotary
Connection and The Fifth Dimension.
The album included a cover of Laura
Nyro's "Stoned Soul Picnic" as well as the original version of "Better
Make It Better", which appeared in a different mix on their previous
album. A pervasive longing marks songs such as "Now You're Not Here",
"Somewhere in the World", "You Already Know", and "Icy Cold as Winter".
This album would also mark the beginning of the duo's use of Japanese
musicians in their studio sessions.
Filth and Dreams
"Filth and Dreams", their sixth album, proved yet again that
Swing Out Sister was eager to reinvent themselves. The album was
released in Japan in March 1999, and it remains the only album
not released in any other country. This album featured stronger jazz
leanings than some of their early pop-oriented albums, and is
restrained in mood. The track Who's Been Sleeping was promoted
as a single and released with several remixes.
Somewhere Deep in the
Night
A seventh album, "Somewhere Deep in the Night", was recorded
in France, and released in May 2001 in Japan (with subsequent release
in Europe and USA). It was dedicated to their friend Kazuhiko Yanagida.
While it is quintessential Swing Out Sister, with lush, brassy and
stringy arrangements, the melodic tunes which often feature
melancholic, languid, or introspective atmospherics and is more sombre
in tone. Many of the tracks are instrumental, or only feature vocal
harmonies without lyrics. One song even features a French
spoken-word monologue. O'Duffy, who produced the album, also has
co-writing credits on all the songs, and provided backing vocals along
with Connell and Cansfield.
Due to declining sales, their record label Universal dropped
them from their contract in America. Consequently, they signed on with Shanachie
Records.
Where Our Love Grows
Undeterred, the band bounced back with their eighth studio
effort, Where Our Love Grows. It was released in
Japan on April
28, 2004
with the UK edition following in July. GQ
Magazine reviewed it and called it "indisputably their finest record to
date". The album features a return to a rich, upbeat retro-sound that
fuses jazz, soul, R&B, Latin, and Easy Listening music. Samples
of Roger Nichols and The
Small Circle of Friends and Herbie Mann were incorporated also into
some songs.
Secret Love
Late 2005 saw Swing Out Sister return to
their studio in London
to commence recording of their new CD, which has the working title of Even
When Tonight Is Over.The band planned on making
a second tour of America in 2006, however due to recording
commitments this had to be cancelled. In 2006 they composed incidental
music for the ITV1
drama The Outsiders,
a new television drama featuring Nigel Harman. August 2007 will see a
new single "Secret Love" which has already been listed. The sound is
very much like vintage Madonna circa Bond
era.[1] with their new album confirmed
for release in October.
Sound
The first album in 1987 was hailed as "jazzy, horn-coloured
pop that puts an '80s techno veneer to the smoky aroma of late-'50s
nightclubs". While the techno veneer has been toned down since then,
their music is still lush and upbeat. The power of Swing Out Sister:
"They don't fit niches, because they create their own time and time
again."
Fans
Swing Out Sister has an ardent fan-base, many of whom followed
them from the start in 1987. More recently, a group of Swing Out Sister
fans on the Internet has begun an e-mail campaign to get them on The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show
with David Letterman.
Concert Tour
Swing Out Sister toured England, Japan, and Canada in 2005.
SOS has also played in Athens, Greece in 2006.
SOS composer/keyboardist Andy Connell cannot tour with the
band any longer, which leaves Corinne Drewery and the others to
continue touring and performing without him. Dan Swana is now
keyboardist during their recent tours. Their appearances on tour
without the horn section have upset many fans since it has always been
part of the Swing Out Sister sound.
Miscellaneous
- The song "O Pesadelo Dos Autores" from the album "The
Living Return" (1994) features a medley of cover versions of "Brazilian
Rhyme", "Celebration Suite", "Come With Me", "My
Cherie Amour", "The Smiling Hour", and "Butterfly".
- In 2002, Swing Out Sister and female Japanese singer Akiko
recorded a cover version of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Waters
of March".
Albums
- Another Non-Stop Sister (1987)
- It's Better To Travel
(1987)
- Swing 3 (1997)
- Kaleidoscope
World (1989)
- Get In Touch With Yourself (1992)
- Swing Out Singles (1992)
- Live at the Jazz Café (1993)
- The Living Return (1994)
- Shapes and Patterns (1997)
- The Best Of Swing Out Sister (1997)
- Filth and Dreams (1999)
- Somewhere Deep in the Night (2001)
- Cafe Orange - The Best of Swing Out Sister
(2002)
- Where Our Love Grows (2004)
- Live in Tokyo (2005)
- Even When Tonight Is Over (2007)
Singles
| Year |
Song |
UK |
US
Hot 100 |
US AC |
Album
/ Notes |
| 1985 |
"Blue Mood" |
- |
- |
- |
it's
better to travel |
| 1986 |
"Breakout" |
3 |
7 |
1 |
it's
better to travel |
| 1987 |
"Surrender" |
7 |
- |
37 |
it's
better to travel |
| 1987 |
"Twilight
World" |
32 |
31 |
7 |
it's
better to travel |
| 1987 |
"Fooled
By a Smile" |
43 |
- |
- |
it's
better to travel |
| 1989 |
"You On My Mind" |
? |
- |
23 |
Kaleidoscope
World |
| 1989 |
"Where In the
World" |
? |
- |
- |
Kaleidoscope
World |
| 1989 |
"Waiting Game" |
- |
86 |
6 |
Kaleidoscope
World (USA-only release) |
| 1989 |
"Forever Blue" |
? |
- |
- |
Kaleidoscope
World |
| 1989 |
"Windmills of Your Mind" |
- |
- |
- |
Japan-only
release |
| 1992 |
"Am
I The Same Girl?" |
21 |
45 |
1 |
Get
In Touch With Yourself |
| 1992 |
"Notgonnachange" |
? |
- |
22 |
Get
In Touch With Yourself |
| 1994 |
"La La Means I
Love You" |
? |
- |
- |
The
Living Return; Four Weddings and a Funeral
soundtrack |
| 1995 |
"Better Make It
Better" |
- |
- |
- |
The
Living Return |
| 1996 |
"Now You're Not
Here" |
- |
- |
- |
Shapes
and Patterns; The Big Elsewhere EP (Japan-only
release) |
| 1996 |
"Heaven Only
Knows" |
- |
- |
- |
The
Best Of |
| 1997 |
"Somewhere In
the World" |
- |
- |
30 |
Shapes
and Patterns |
| 1997 |
"We Could Make
It Happen" |
- |
- |
- |
Shapes
and Patterns |
| 1999 |
"Who's Been
Sleeping" |
- |
- |
- |
Filth
and Dreams (Japan-only release) |
| 2001 |
"Through the
Sky" |
- |
- |
- |
Somewhere
Deep in the Night |
| 2004 |
"Love Won't Let
You Down" |
- |
- |
- |
Where
Our Love Grows |
| 2007 |
"Secret Love" |
- |
- |
- |
Even
When Tonight Is Over (working title); single to be released
August '07 |
External links
References
